Creative Photography In Kenya :: Nyatiti African Musical Instrument
Creative Photography In Kenya :: Nyatiti African Musical Instrument Photomagic Lifestyle Portrait Studios
How would you define nyatiti?
The Nyatiti is a five to eight-stringed plucked lyre from Kenya. It is a classical instrument played by the Luo people of Nyanza Kenya, typically in Benga music. It is about two to three feet long. The player holds it to his chest while seated on a low stool. Usually, it is played together with the oporo,a curved horn.
The Nyatiti played by the Luos is mostly 8-stringed. The stool that the player usually sits on is traditionally known as “Orindi”. Orindi is a three-legged stool as low as the shin level of the player. The player sits down and puts down the instrument in front of him. On the toe of the player is a round-iron ring (nut-like) that produces a constant beat as he/she hits the lower bar of the instrument with it. On the same leg is “Gara”, a bell that shakes all throughout the playing period. Most players wear a headgear called “Kondo” on their heads mostly made from some animal skin. The dancers tie ‘Owalo’ on their waist as they dance to the beautiful tune of Nyatiti.
Creative Photography In Kenya :: Nyatiti African Musical InstrumentPhotomagic Lifestyle Portrait Studios :: Nyatiti African Musical InstrumentPhotomagic Lifestyle Portrait Studios :: Nyatiti African Musical InstrumentPhotomagic Lifestyle Portrait Studios :: Nyatiti African Musical InstrumentPhotomagic Lifestyle Portrait Studios :: Nyatiti African Musical InstrumentPhotomagic Lifestyle Portrait Studios Queen Demba OchengaChristine Demba Ochenga,(born 27 November 1987)well known as Queen Demba is a Musician,a Nyatiti player who hails from the Western part of Kenya,Siaya county, Gem sub county.The area is known to be the original home of the Nyatiti. Born in siaya town,she joined the Sunday School choir at Ack St Peters cathedral in siaya,during her teenage moved to the main church choir as the youngest member. ‘Kik iweya’ was her first song.She later learnt how to play the Nyatiti. Her beats are actually fussion of traditional African beats and modern contemporary beats along with socially CONSCIOUS content. Her music mostly touches on culture and traditions of the Luo community in Kenya,about the rights of the girl/boy child,about environment and day to day life activities and experiences. She enjoys the art of creating luscious beats from the magical strings of the Nyatiti. The sound of it heals hearts too. She is currently doing a compilation of my first Nyatiti Album dubbed “SISO”Photomagic Lifestyle Portrait Studios QueenDemba Ochenga
